In Vitro Microbiological Analysis of Bacterial Seal at the Implant-Abutment Interface Using Two Morse Taper Implant Models

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bacterial seal at the implant-abutment interface using two morse taper implant models, by means of an in vitro microbiological analysis. For that were used 15 implants with mini-abutments tightened by friction, no screws (Group 1); and 30 implants with screw-tightened abutments, of which 15 received 20 N.cm of closing torque (Group 2) and the other 15 received 30 N.cm (Group 3). Microbiological analysis was carried out using colonies of Escherichia coli transported directly from a culture dish to the prosthetic component. Friction implants (Group 1) were activated by tapping and a torque wrench was used for screw-tightened implants (Groups 2 and 3). Each abutment/implant set was immersed in test tubes containing 5 mL of brain-heart infusion broth and incubated at 37 °C for 14 days, observed daily for the presence of contamination. A statistically significant difference was observed regarding the number of contaminated implants. There was greater contamination in Group 2 implants (p<0.05), with no statistically significant difference between the other groups (Group 1 = 20% and Group 3 = 0%). It was concluded that there was no significant difference in in vitro bacterial sealing between implants with mini-abutments tightened by friction without screws and implants with screw-tightened abutments with 30 N.cm of closing torque. The difference in closing torque altered the in vitro sealing ability of the tested abutments, with a greater contamination for components that received a closing torque of 20 N.cm.